London, it’s the centre of the world, a true metropolitan of the 21st century. There’s never any end to the city, and every person’s memory of London is different from anyone else’s. Diversity and a progressive, multi-cultural attitude are cornerstones of this great city, and no matter who you are, you’ll find a piece of London that’ll stick with you.

And even if you have just 24 hours, there are endless possibilities for both adventure and comfort to make those 24 hours truly unforgettable. See, London has this peculiar, almost phantasmic quintessence that hangs over the city; regardless of the length of your stay, whatever you put into your trip, London will give back.

In other words, stay in your hotel and London will no-doubt become a memory of grey skies, greyer people, and Earl Grey tea. But if you put your heart into your 24 hours (and especially take advantage of the famous Underground to traverse the city with breathtaking ease), you are assured a spectacular memory of this city that you can cherish forever.

Although there are countless things to do at all hours of the day, we’re hoping to spike your inspiration with a compilation of must-dos for an outstanding 24 hours.

 

1. Coffee and Breakfast

The traditional English breakfast is the classic fry-up, and it contains a hearty helping of eggs, sausages, bacon, tomatoes, and mushrooms, as well as fried bread and baked beans.

As London is certainly a multi-cultural city, you can start your day with a delectable kick by visiting Princi, an Italian restaurant with a wide variety of breakfast choices, serving everything from freshly made pastries to an array of cakes.

But in terms of that fry-up, there’s nothing better than the English fry-up with the excellence of Italian cooking. For instance, the Princi Breakfast might just be one of the best in London. Along with free-range, organic eggs from Italy, this breakfast dish includes Napoli sausage, pancetta, slow-cooked cannellini beans, roasted tomato, and sourdough toast. Of course, the Italians are also pros at coffee and espresso, and a “doppio espresso” is enough to keep you going throughout the day.

What’s more, Princi is the optimal choice for coffee and breakfast because it’s located right in Soho, a lively, unique area in one of London’s key shopping areas. After breakfast, you’ll be a short walk away from the Oxford Circus and the Piccadilly Circus (Regent Street), as well as well-known stores from Selfridges and Burberry to Zara, all of which are ideal for shopping on any budget. In addition to shopping, Soho is well-known for its role in London’s beatnik and swinging culture, music and theatre, and media.

London tube stations near Soho include:

• Piccadilly Circus
• Oxford Circus
• Tottenham Court Road
• Leicester Square

• Lunchtime

Shopping and exploring Soho throughout the morning is enough to build an earnest appetite. From Soho, the next London destination is the trendy Shoreditch, where you can find the well-known Pizza East. Boasting wood-oven pizzas, antipasti (starters), Italian cured meats and cheeses, and much, much more, the popularity of Pizza East hasn’t waned since it first moved into the former tea warehouse on the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green Road.

The all-day menu at Pizza East (there are Saturday and Sunday brunches as well) is refreshingly Italian. Think buffalo mozzarella, lamb meatballs, monkfish, razor clams, octopus, and, of course, classic wood-fired Italian pizzas, such as one with veal meatballs, prosciutto, cream, and lemon. You can also find specialty favorites, from the mac ‘n’ cheese pizza to a smoked beef brisket pizza. The atmosphere of Pizza East has a classy industrial feel with its steel refectory tables and wooden floors.

Pizza East has several locations, but Shoreditch is the place to go. After lunch, you’ll find yourself surrounded by some of the best street art in London. Walk down Shoreditch and Brick Lane to see everything from huge, building-sized works created by renowned artists to beautifully colored murals. Some famous works of art located throughout Shoreditch include:

• Banksy’s “Designated Graffiti Area” on Rivington Street
• French street artist Zabou’s “Smile” on Cremer Street
• Global artist Stik’s “People” on Princelet Street
• London artist Lewis Campbell’s “Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil and See No Evil” on Heneage Street

Other streets of Shoreditch to walk down include Fashion Street, Brick Lane, and Bell Lane.

 

• Afternoon Activity

Exploring Soho and Shoreditch gives you a great feel for the city, but to truly experience London in its grandeur, you have to take to the skies. High Flying Helicopter’s operators provide private and shared flights with various add on’s such as afternoon tea and VIP service. The service offers comfortable flights over the city to experience uninterrupted, panoramic views of famous landmarks, such as:

• Hyde Park
• Royal Albert Hall
• Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey
• Buckingham Palace
• London Eye
• British Museum
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• Shard/Gerkin and London’s Financial District.

 

For shared rides, you and five other adventurers will embark together, while the private tours give you and your guests exclusive access to the helicopter. Flights last 35 minutes and take off from a variety of locations.

 

• Evening Drinks

The adventure and the beautiful views of the helicopter ride are a great way to get the adrenaline pumping. Therefore, on your return to London, take the train to St. Paul’s Station and head over to Madison for some evening drinks. Overlooking St. Paul’s and providing views of the city’s skyline, the Madison is a stylish cocktail bar and rooftop terrace, and it’s one of London’s most sought-after social settings.

 

• Dinner

 

Whether you’re winding down or warming up for a night out to cap off your 24 hours in London, the city’s culinary scene boasts many dinner options year-round. No matter what you’re hungry for, you’ll be able to find it, but one restaurant that has proven itself time and time again is Inamo Covent Garden. This pioneering Asian fusion restaurant certainly looks upscale with its zen, yet modern, Japanese-style interior, but the prices aren’t bad and the food is good. Some dishes to try here include:

• Sweet and tender beef tataki
• Green chicken curry loaded with meat, various vegetables, basil and mint
• Spicy miso salmon and rice
• Singapore noodles
• Pork chop with yakiniku sauce and rice
• And tons of sushi, sashimi, and Asian tapas choices

Inamo has a few locations, but make sure to go to Covent Garden, the fashion, food, and cultural destination of London. This area presents a great opportunity to explore the markets and boutique shops. There are often great street performers near the Covent Garden Piazza, and you can browse the markets in the stunning Market Building. More importantly, the Royal Opera House forms one whole corner of the Piazza, and you can discover world-class performances by the Royal Opera or Royal Ballet companies (book well in advance).

After dinner, and to conclude your 24 hours in London, well, head off and see what you can discover! London’s nightlife can be an endless wave of pub hopping, or a much-needed relaxation with good drinks, friendly company, and atmosphere you’ll never forget.

So, welcome to London and I hope you have a great time in my city!

This article was written by Neil Sheth, Founder of High Flying Helicopter, who provides helicopter tours and experiences in the UK.

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